Our debt has increased substantially in the last few years in our country as well as individually. “The average American household with at least one credit card has nearly $10,700 in credit-card debt, according to CardWeb.com” (CNN Money). Some contend that it is wrong to go into debt because we are not to owe man anything (Romans 13:8) but others say that we can borrow as long as we pay what we owe (Matthew 18:34). Others charge up the credit card, make the minimum payment and if they can’t pay, declare bankruptcy.

A very versatile word in the English language is “extremist.” Much like “legalist,” “radical,” and “hobbyist,” it can be called into play whenever desired. It would seem that ANY MAN could be called an extremist — it just depends on who is doing the calling and where he stands at the time. A sure way to prejudice unthinking people against a certain viewpoint or matter of doctrine is to charge, “That is an EXTREME view!” An effective tool for poisoning people against a preacher is to claim, “You know, he is an EXTREMIST!” Immediately the dull‑witted close their ears to what he says. They make no effort to investigate the Word of God to determine whether it is the truth. All of us need studious minds, desire… Continue reading

Desensitize. Now that’s a big word. What does it mean? It is defined “to reduce or eliminate the sensitivity of a person.”

A country boy asked a city‑slicker once, “Have you ever seen a pig holding his nose?” The city‑slicker answered, “No, I haven’t.” The country boy then said, “He’s been in the stench so long, he doesn’t know he stinks.” “Now, I’ve got it,” said the city‑slicker. Don’t you love the way country folks can shuck it down where anyone can understand?

Desensitization happens when we expose ourselves to shameful things so long that we no longer respond to it as we once did. The Bible teaches us to keep our senses keen. Our senses are to be “exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb… Continue reading

James 1:22‑25 says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

We should want to be a doer of the word. The Bible is not for display, analysis, or contemplation. It exists to be obeyed! So important is it to be obeyed that James later says, “For whosoever… Continue reading

Most are aware of the recent death of Brownwood firefighter Shannon Stone. The 30 year old died after falling from the stands at the Ballpark in Arlington on July 7, 2011. Stone was attempting to catch a ball for his 6 year old son, thrown to him by Josh Hamilton .

This was senseless tragedy, in every sense of the word. It was a horrific accident, and it seems that no real blame can be placed on any individual. The Rangers were careful to ensure the railing in left field exceeded the federal safety codes. Hamilton, in throwing the ball into the stands, did the same thing that others had done thousands of times before. Mr. Stone himself was not acting rashly, he simply slipped and fell… Continue reading

In 1 Kings 19:10, Elijah lamented to God, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” He had in rapid order celebrated a great victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and experienced the terror of Jezebel’s mortal threat, as she vowed to have his head by the next day.

Elijah was a great man, but this was a moment of weakness and despair. While we do not wish to judge him harshly, his despair led to self‑pity. His belief that he alone remained faithful to God was mistaken. The Lord… Continue reading

Summer is now in full swing, and with it comes vacations, backyard cookouts, camping trips, and many other activities that we often enjoy. Unfortunately, in the midst of all this merrymaking, many Christians take a “vacation” from God and from their daily duties as a Christian. I would like to suggest a few tips to help Christians further their spiritual health through the summer.

1. Summer often comes with larger amounts of time off. Make it a point to set a portion of this time aside for personal Bible study and prayer. We are told in 1st Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” and in 2 Timothy 2:15 to be diligent to show ourselves approved before God. The extra time we have in the summer provides an… Continue reading